Binder for sheaves and the like



Aug. 19, 1941. R, SPECTOR 2,253,464

BINDER FOR SHEAVES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 7, 1940 uvnu llllwlmlmmmmiimnilIliil F INVENTOR 08527 SPEC 7'01? av-ww ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 19, 1941 2,253,464 BINDER FOR SHEAVES AND THE. LIKE Robert Specter, New York, N. Y.

Application October 7, 1940, Serial No. 360,015

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in binding and fastening devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provicle an economical, efiicient, practical and simple binder or removable fastener for a sheaf of papers and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a readily attachableand stretchable flat binding and fastening device for holding together sheets of material in stacked relation.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a binding and fastening device having a flat stretchable part capable of spanning, extending through and/or across perforations of a sheaf of sheet material and relatively rigid terminals adapted to lie fiat against the outermost sheet or sheets of the sheaf. By this provision the sheaves can be placed in stacked relation for filing purposes in a minimum of space and without danger of toppling over.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a binder for a stack or sheaf of perforated papers and the like which will bind the papers together at the perforations and yet will give sufficiently to permit the stack to be opened. without appreciable rolling of the raisedpapers at the perforated end of the stack whereby a maximum area of the desired paper of the stack to be viewed or worked upon may be presented.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a preferably elastic binder for 'a stack of perforated elements or parts and having at least one relatively rigid end member adapted to be easily threaded through the perforations of the elements and to be laid across the perforation of an outermost element of the stack flat aga nst said element;

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a stretchable binding and fastening device of efficient utility capable of securing papers, cloth and other materials in stack relation through either one or more rows of perforations provided therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a binding and fastening device using a flat elastic element insertable through one or more rows of perforations of superimposed layers of material by a substantially flat relatively rigid member attached thereto, whereby, on account of its flatness the elastic element serves to reduce the danger of its cutting into or fraying the walls. of the perforations, and further on accountiof its elasticity is capable, within liniitations, of securing together varying quantities or thicknesses of layers of material.

The above and other objects and advantageous features of the invention and the, means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating some embodiments by which the invention may be realized, and in which:

Fig. l is'a front elevational view of the upper portion of a sheaf or stack of papers showing the application of one form of the invention;

Fig. 215 an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view as taken in the plane of the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the manner of applying one of the terminal members of the binding device;

Fig. 41s a front elevational view of the binding device shown in Fig, 1; V

Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and showing another form of binding device;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the terminal shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view showing the application of a sheaf of papers and a binding device as contemplated herein to a folderv in which said sheaf is carried;

Fig. 8 is an end V ew of the upper portion of a relatively thick stack or sheaf of papers showing the application of the binding device contemplated herein, thereto.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail Figs. 1 to 4 disclose the invention in one of its preferred forms, while Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the invention in another of its preferred forms, the remaining figures being illustrative of the invention in several modified forms.

In the embodiment shown in Figs, 1 to 4, the blnding and fastening device comprises an elongated flat strip of elastic material 28, to the ends of'which are secured by means of eyelets 2! the fiat relatively rigid abutting terminals or tips 22. The terminals 22 by meansof the eyelets 2| are pivotally connected to the respective ends of the stretchable strip 2!] whereby they may be easily swung thereabout for manipulation through the perforations 35 of the stacked sheets 24 of the sheaf 25 and then for adjustment relatively to said sheaf or stack 25.

Terminal 22 is made sufficiently stiff or rigid to permit its being threaded thorugh the perfo rations and to thereafter overlie the same without bending or being drawn into the perforations when the binde'r'is adjusted onto the stack orstack through which it is to be partially threaded and may be of any desired length, howeven taking into consideration the distance between rows of perforations and the thickness of the said rows. being made of elastic fabric or tape.

Terminal 22 is preferablyrounded at one end and tapered at its other end as indicated at 22a and 22b respectively; and its width preferably should not exceed in width that of the elastic connector 2!? to which it is secured. I I I As heretofore stated terminal 22 is secured to an end of the stretchable strip 257105 the eyelet or tubular rivet 2| (Figs. 1-4) This atta'cl'ir'neiit is made in such manner that the tapered end 221) of the terminal 22' normally arid after beiiig adjusted on the stack or sheaf in the direction of the elastic strip 29 as eleanyshewn in Figs. 1, 2' and 4. The eyelet 2f is substantially midway between the ends of terminal 22. This would position the free extremity 20c" of strip 20 closer to end 22b than to end 22d of terminal 22. This arrangement permits the terminal to be held in a sort of balanced position and the extremity 200 of strip 28' to be ldcate'd between the eyelet and the wall 26 formed in the stack by the perforations in sheets 24, when the binder is adjusted in working condition with res ect to the sheaf or stack 25. This interposition of the elastic strip 23 between the eyelet and the said wall 26 will prevent the latter from fraying or' tearing.

In Figs. and 6 the terminal 21 is shown'as having the bent-over" integral lugs or tongues 28 for securing to it the end of the stretchable strip 20, in lieu of the eyelet 2i. lugs 28 on terminal 21 is such as to bring about the results and advantages heretofore stated with respect to the location of eyelet 2| on terminal 22 regarding attachment of strip" The direction of the tapered end 29 of terminal 21 like en'd 22b of terminal 22, is toward thestrip 2'0 and said end overlies the said strip. Where two terminals are employed the tapered ends thereof face each other as shown in Figs. 1-6.

In order to assure permanent and secure fastening of the terminal 2''! to the end of the elastic strip 20 the material of lugs 28 may be crimped or indented against or imbedded in the elastic material as indicated at 30 in Fig. 6; The" end 3| of terminal 2'! may be rounded at the corners as seen in this figure.

It is to be particularly noted that the diameter of eyelet 2| and the maximum width and length across the bent-over lugs should be less than the diameter of the opening of the stack, produced by the perforations in the sheets, the effect being clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 5, respectively. After a terminal in inserted or threaded through the opening 35 of the sheaf or stack, for example, as in a manner indicated in Fig. 3, and the terminal laid flat over the outermost sheet as" indition 32 of the eyelet 2| or the raised or protrud- The drawing shows thenarrow strip as The location of the ing portions 33 of the lugs 28, of the respective terminals, as the case may be, will project within the opening 35 and permit the terminal to abut or lie fiat against the stack.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the lugs or bent over lateral portions 28 are disposed between the ends 29, 3| of terminal 21 and overlying one side of the latter, an end of elastic member 20 being clamped by and between said overlying parts 28 and one side of terminal 2Y1, substantially midway between said ends 29, 3| of terminal 21, the length of lateral portion 28 being less than the distance between the respective ends of portion -2-8 andthe respective or corresponding adjacent ends 29, 3| of terminal 21. As seen in Fig. 5 this construction holds th terminal 21 in balanced position, locating the free extremity of strip 20 between the clamping lugs 28 and the perforated 1 wall df the stack. Terminal 2! has flat faces, the

plate-like terminal 21 as the loss is and the clamped end of the elastic member 28 wholly ex.- tend within the perforation of at least that sheet 24 adjacent terminal 21-. The part of elastic member 20- secured to lateral lug portions- 28" are substantially coextensive therewith so that" no part thereof may extend beyond the diameter of the perforation.

. In this case one of the terminals 22 is inserted through one of the openings 35 of the-pile or group 25 of sheets of papers 24 to bebound, andpermitted to lie flat acrosssaid opening iii abutment against one of the outermdst sheets of paper and the elastic strip issuing from that opening on the other outerrnost sheet of the group is brought across to the other opening 35 and the other terminal of the bidding device iri-- serted through it until that other terminal corh'es' through the openin of the first mentioned outermost sheet upon which the inen-tiened t" 1 m-i-nal isal so resting. The said othert'ermihal'wil-l then lie flatacross the said other opening;- The parts of the elastic-td-terminal securing means that protrudes slightly beyondthe term-ihals will find themselves within the e 'ehitigs and will remain there. Papers may be added to or removed from the stack or" pile,- the former eperatioh being only limited by the maximum expansion of the elastic.

it is desired to utilize the device wherethe pile of material has one openin er here, one of the terminals or the device'is' inserted thrbu'gh this opening and permitted to lie fiat" assess the perforation of one of the outermost members of the pile, while the other terminal will autemat: ically assume a similar position on theother' outermost member of the pile This arrangementis seen in Fig. 8. It isunderstood that the pile of material to be bound isgreater in thickness length of the elastic stripbe" than the normal tween its pivoted points so that the elastic will stretch somewhat and thereby securely bind together all th'e'elementso'r members composing the pile. Members of the pile may be removed and other similar embers may be added to the pile with comparative ease and simplicity.

When the papers are to be seeu'red thitugh three openings in the pile, one of the terminals is threaded through the first opening" andthen" through the second opening in a directioh 6p posite' to that in which it Wa'S' threaded fil'lfdufifi the first opening and lastly, the said trniiiial threaded through the third opening in the same direction as it was threaded through the first opening.

If there are more than three perforations in each of the sheets to be bound together, then a similar operation is repeated, the said terminal being threaded through the additional openings.

It is understood that the binding and fastening device may be employed with only one terminal, the other end of the elastic strip being free. This free end is sewn, stapled, pasted or otherwise secured to a portion of the article, whose parts or elements are to be bound, tightened, gathered or fastened. The terminal at the other end of the elastic strip may be inserted through one or more perforations in the article for accomplishing the desired result.

It will thus be seen that the constructions of the heretofore described embodiments are such as to permit the terminals to abut directly and flatly against the stack of material fastened together by the device thus diminishing the filing space required, particularly when the stacks are piled one over the other. Further, the said constructions permit full visibility on inside pages right up to the binding edge without increasing bulk of the stack at said edge.

Fig. 7 shows the application of the invention to a binder. The sheaf or pile of sheets of material 60 being disposed between the outer cover SI of a folder 62 and of the double-portion 63 thereof. The folder is also provided with a rear cover 64. The binder 65 is preferably applied so that the elastic strip 20 lays along the rear of the folded portion 63 with the terminals 66 disposed between the stack and the outer cover, so that the sheets may be readily added and removed from the folder without removal of the stack from the folder.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention within the scope thereof, and as many changes might be made in theembodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A binder of the character described comprising an elongated elastic member, a flat terminal, and means securing said elastic member to said terminal, said means comprising a part overlying substantially the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end portion of said elastic member being clamped by and between said overlying part and said one side of said terminal, the distance between the extremities of said overlying part being less than the distance between respective of said extremities and the corresponding ends of said terminal.

2. A binder of the character described comprising an elongated elastic member, a flat terminal,

and means securing said elastic member to said terminal, said means comprising an eyelet having a part overlying substantially the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end portion of said elastic member being clamped by and between said overlying part and said one side of said terminal, the diametrical distance between the extremities of said overlying part being less than the distance between respective of said extremities and the corresponding ends of said terminal.

3. A binder of the character described comprising an elongated elastic member, a flat terminal, and means securing said elastic member to said terminal, said means comprising a portion of said terminal overlying the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end portion of said elastic member being in clamping engagement by and between said overlying portion and said mid portion, the length of said overlying portion being less than the distance between the respective ends of said overlying portion and the corresponding ends of said terminal.

4. A binder of the character described comprising an elongated elastic member, a fiat terminal, and means securing said elastic member to said terminal, said means comprising a flat portion of said terminal overlying the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end portion of said elastic member being in clamping engagement with and between said overlying portion and said one side of said terminal, the length of said overlying portion being less than the distance between the respective ends of said overlying portion and the corresponding ends of said terminal.

5. The combination with members each having a perforation, of means for binding together said members, said means comprising an elastic, a terminal having opposite flat faces, and means securing said element to said terminal, said securing means comprising a partoverlying substantially the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end portion of said elastic element being clamped by and between said overlying part and said one side of said terminal, said overlying part and said clamped end of said element being of such size relative to the size of the perforation of at least one of said members adja cent said terminal to wholly extend within said perforation, whereby said terminal flatly abuts the said one of said members when said binding means are in said operative position.

6. A binder of the character described comprising an elongated elastic member, a fiat terminal, means securing said terminal to said elastic member, said means comprising at least one lateral flat portion of said terminal overlying the mid portion of one side of said terminal, an end of said elastic member being in clamping engagement with and between said overlying portion and said mid portion, said lateral fiat portion having an inwardly directed part biting into said elastic member.

ROBERT SPECTOR. 

